The Opelousas courier., 1887-11-19
THE GUBERNAroR1A1 cAsTAss
Much Ado as to an Imagined Third
Term-The So-called Reformers De-
luding Themselves.

First and foremost, Gov. EcEnery has beer
elected but for one single term of foul
years-the end not yet. WiltE i~naugurated
IN January. 1881. After his demise, Oct.
IS, 1881, the Lieutenant Governor fulfilled
the duties of the unexpired term. Gov. Nc
Emery Will be elected for the coming term OF
four years, ending in 1S92-only two terms
then graciously retire. Imagining this three
terms causes a smile. .
The defunct Governor left little patronage
OF Importance; still his successor, moved by
proper respect, regardful of the popular
VIII and the fitness of things, with discrimi-
nation carried out his views, especially as to
nominations to office. His acts during the
vac lncy can be well termed the sequel.
Did he surround himself with his own
partisans. discarding the bosom friends. of
Wlltz7 Cali you this ambition misplaced
and organizing o so-called personal govern
ment regardless of the public veal?
Can Witt, it is asked, be considered az yica-
rlously governing the State2 We reply,
nothing more common for all incoming
oaicer to glorify himself in making a pledge,
to follow in the footsteps of IN illustrious
predecessor-and more than thai, keeping
the promise.
But, say the alarmists, 'the objection TO
q third term Is the improperly of too long
an enjoyment of the Chief Executive by one
person; not to the mode by which the power
n naS De envi Obtained hasn ,,a but !, to the fsY5t of the
Thus, to o gubernatorial term of four
years you are computing afraction of it as
equal to the four years, the ~unit-unyit-
ungly. you aver, that eight years are equal
to twelve onesl Your imagined three terms
are a myth!
Again, yon liken rotation In Office to
eha!ige Of SOIL cHlture-an absurd, far-fetched
slmlie-the hrss coming within the domain
81 tne scie I OF government, while the lat
~erregniated by the laws of nature.
should voters ignore tried ability ~texperi-
ellce oelng the parent of wisdom), overlook
noS TIE influence of talents, ror do not with
hold incentives to valuable services. b,t hold
fast to those who have not been found want
pr1Ises. such as leveeing, etc.
imaginary evils are conjured up in visions
sonal power, prophesied as al ending in the
garrotlng of the liberties of the BODY politios
Wei said OF soothsayers that it was a wonder.
Mhen 9eeSlng one another on the street, how
what is meant by this term personal govern.
ment? Do you seriously refer to privileged
classes, or arlstocfacy, or what not? No.
nopaiy, OF what coinage Of the brain? A
II.
We, repel the assertion ''tkat usage and
t~ime.honored practice have settled that re-
eiectlon OF the same person are in violation
OF democratic Institutions This is q down
right assumption of superiority of Judgment |
by these aiarmlsts, in opposition to the fat !
OF the people, who have. deliberateJv aYS
eiuded any such restriction in the funda-
Why, suppose the corruption of the masses
-,obl1y1ous OF their material interestswcsI |
lo4sness to the working OF the governn1entw
snDservlency OF the press-i:npeacbn,ent-
eilecks and balances in our national and Stat a |
staying the hand of oppres-
How diminutiye the power of a Governor
N louisiana compared 10 that of President.
me former, doled out q small pitIance Of a
sslaIS, stripped OF any pomp or circumstance
~ oilee, while the other, Commandment
Silsl u tne army and navy. distributing on
{ large scale honors and riches, working tha
auge maehlnerles of the customs. revenues
and other departments-eyen ba "a
hot deharied re-electIjns.
any aanger proceeding from a Governor ia
mace insignificant by reason of the t%ransfer
20 the national government of the most i'm.
.eIians powers OF rule. Every Executive Of
: State must lake an oath to support fhe Con.
M tlono q tas United States.
lhls disability. sought TO be imposed on
lsi WI never be made a plank of our State |
2ollIical PLATFORM. The people need no such
gratiitous guardianship, especially
p what concerns the choice OF their rulers,
ne would advocate khy safeguards, anal !